Hailey (the cat)and I head south in the winter to explore the back roads, deserts, coasts, forests, beaches, of the southern US! I 'graduated' from full time work, and have been enjoying the complete freedom ever since. I expect to be in southern climes during the winter times and all over Alberta and Canada during the summer. Come along for the ride. (Photo is of former co-pilot Harley).

Saturday, September 05, 2015

SEPTEMBER

September is here!

That means work is almost done for another year, and it is almost time to pack up and head south again!

Last time I updated, Hailey and I were still at the fire lookout near Slave Lake, AB.

The flowers were still a-blooming

A family of black bears paid a visit.

And I contemplate my commute down to the ground.

There appeared to be a camera on a nearby communications tower, and another one was topped with spines – perhaps to deter birds, or perhaps as lightning protection?

While there, an exceedingly rare sight! Hailey actually drinking water out of her own water dish! She much prefers water out of a sink. Even if it is her same dish – placed IN the sink!

It had rained a bit, so they opted to fly us out again, rather than risk the muddy road.

Back at home for a few days, the bird feeders created nothing but conflict!

On the other side of the house, a young barn swallow still likes to spend time in the nest.

Several of my friends have turned out to be authors after they retired. I finally had the time to pick up two of them recently at Chapters. Randy was a college classmate of mine who spent most of his career with Federal Fisheries, and Rob was born and raised in Jasper National Park, where I worked with him as a Park Warden.

Not to be missed, another recently retired park warden has recently published his first in this series. George Mercer – Dyed in the Green. And Dale Portman, another retired park warden and dog handler I worked with in Jasper has several books in print.

And Dale’s wife Kathy Calvert – one of the very first female park wardens in Canada – also has a book Quest for the Summits, and Guardians of the Peaks, which she co-authored with her husband.

I hope I have not missed any more author friends …!

I think that should do for this post – have to save something for the next one.

3 comments:

Ivan, great to catch up with you and your wandering soul.... I met you a couple years ago, well maybe 5 yrs ago on my way to Alaska for the summer..... glad to see you are enjoying retirement or more likely a great new chapter in life.... ps I recognize that phrase "graduated from work" and love it!